Welcome to our Volunteer Centre newsletter.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of volunteers, constituting the backbone of our communities. Volunteering for all the fantastic organisations and community groups in the local areas.
Last week we held our annual AGM and conference. It was great to hear from so many organisations and volunteers about their experience of volunteering over the last year. We hope that everyone who attended took away as much as we did!
We aim to support all volunteers in their activities. If you are looking for new volunteering opportunities, please look for new opportunities on our website here or get in touch by emailing volunteer@communities1st.org.uk.
We have split volunteering roles into the following sections:
- Spotlight
- Short Term Roles and Micro Volunteering
- Longer Term Volunteering Roles
- Trustee Roles
- Driving Roles
We have lots of training opportunities available here for anyone who would like to expand their skill set or try something new!
Robert Varney,
Assistant Manager – Volunteer Centre & Enterprise Development
Communities 1st
COME AND SEE US!
SPOTLIGHT
Event Volunteer for Redbourn Community Group
Redbourn Classic's is an event that helps raise crucial funds for Redbourn Community Group. This year’s event will showcase a selection of classic cars and motorbikes, and host exhibits and stalls. They are looking for volunteers for several different roles including Event Setup, Event Steward, and Clear Away Volunteers.
Learning Officer with Elstree and Borehamwood Museum.
We are seeking an energetic and enthusiastic learning officer to develop and deliver heritage related events within local schools (mostly primary). You will need a passion for engaging with young people with their local heritage, have strong communication skills, and enthusiasm to liaise with schools and teachers to develop and run programmes of talks, activities and workshops in response to requests from schools or to promote museum exhibitions.
Casual Events Helper with Youth Talk
Youth Talk need event helpers to help us at local fundraising events. They are looking for a good communicator and someone who enjoys working in a team with new people. Above all you will need enthusiasm and stamina if able to join us for longer events. Youth Talk are here to make sure young people in the St Albans District get the best possible mental health support. Their vision is that every young person can talk to someone , whatever is worrying them. by providing free, confidential counseling services delivered by qualified counsellors, They make sure everyone from 13-25 in the area can access this, whatever their background or circumstances.
SHORT TERM ROLES & MICRO VOLUNTEERING
Health Walk Leaders for Herts Health Walks
The Countryside Management Service would like to recruit more volunteers to support existing Hertfordshire Health Walks and set up new, shorter walks for people who are not currently active or are returning to activity after an injury or illness. Join their team of more than 200 volunteers who help others become healthier and happier by walking together outdoors. No experience is necessary. You can lead walks or provide support from the back. Volunteer once a week or once a month it is up to you. Training is free and nationally accredited.
Volunteers for Canoe World Championship.
ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help in showcasing the world's best canoe slalom athletes competing at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, between 18 - 24 September 2023. There are a range of volunteer roles available across the event, both pre-event and during competition. You don’t need to be an expert about canoe slalom, or have even volunteered before, there will be a role to suit you. Lee Valley White Water Centre is renowned across the globe as one of the best white-water courses in the world and in 2023 will play host to around 300 of the world's best athletes from across 50 countries as they battle it out across a week of high-octane competition. For more information visit: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/white-water-centre
If interested , please email volunteer@communities1st.org.uk
LONGER TERM VOLUNTEERING ROLES
Shop Volunteers - St Albans (Victoria Street) with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care
Our friendly, busy shop in Victoria Street, St Albans is seeking volunteers. You will be working as part of a team, under the guidance and direction of the retail manager and retail assistant manager. Retail volunteers help in many varied tasks including selecting goods from those donated, preparing and pricing, using the till and providing a cheerful and helpful service to customers and callers. We will work with the time you have to give - Mondays to Saturdays.
Social Media Marketing Volunteer with Herts Schools Outreach (HSO)
Herts Schools Outreach are looking for a Social Media Marketer. We would like to recruit a volunteer for 1-2 hours each day or 1 day per week, for a period of six months (with a one-month trial period). The role of the Social Media Marketing Volunteer will be to assist the Communications & Marketing Manager in promoting HSO’s activities and to raise brand awareness using social media platforms.
Drop In Volunteers with Centre 33
Centre 33 provides a drop-in centre for people who are homeless, sofa-surfing, otherwise in unsecure accommodation, or if in accommodation have difficulties in coping owing to lack of food, limited budget or other problems. Applicants need to be self-starters who are confident enough to operate in a small team. There are no managers on site – just volunteers plus team leaders. Some experience of cooking would be useful but many learn as they go along. We encourage volunteers to take the Level 2 Food Safety qualification.
Gardening Volunteer with Eastwick & Gilston Village Hall
Eastwick and Gilston hall exist for the benefit of the parish. It supports local initiatives and provides space for meetings and social activity. We are looking for volunteers to help maintain the hall. We would welcome help from a volunteer or volunteers that could help us maintain our flower bed outside the village hall. It is an opportunity for those who do not have a garden and a challenge for those who do . It contains established plants but requires weeding , pruning and a bit of imagination and a bit more colour.
LET VOLUNTEERING ROLES COME TO YOU!
Communities 1st is launching Let’s Give, a new service for volunteers. You will be able to create your own space on our website, so that organisations can find out about you and reach out about their volunteering roles.
You won’t need to display any personal contact information as we will do all the brokerage, so we will put you in touch with the organisations that have reached out for you.
It’s a great way to showcase your skills and experience to local community groups, and can help match you with a role where you can make a real difference.
For more information contact us by email here or call 01727 649953.
TRUSTEE ROLES
Treasurer with Future Living Hertford
The overall role of a treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensuring its viability and ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained. The role can also be undertaken by a Finance Sub Committee. The role and person specification are summarised below.
Volunteer Director with Mix 92.6
Verulam Community Radio Limited is the not-for-profit company which operates the Ofcom regulated local radio station for South Hertfordshire, Mix 92.6. We cover an area of around 500,000 people. We would like to bring new skills and capacity to our Board of eight Directors. In particular, we are keen to speak to people with any of the following areas of experience; marketing, leadership, human resources and commercial. There is no need for any radio experience. We are in an exciting phase as a radio station with ambitious plans. This board director would also undertake some day-to-day work so candidates would need to be able to devote around 7 hours per week to the role.
Trustee with St Albans Shopmobility
Shopmobility are looking for a Trustee to join their team. The overall role of the Shopmobility Trustees is to contribute to the development of strategy, using skills and knowledge from their areas of expertise. They must also have a commitment to the Shopmobility ethos, museum and values, and act as a “Champion” on behalf of Shopmobility. The role of a Trustee may appeal to people from various backgrounds, with an interest in working as a member of a team as a committee member. Shopmobility is looking for people with experience in Finance and Accounting, Fundraising, Business Development, Social Care or Leadership and Management.
DRIVING ROLES
Volunteer Drivers with Hertsmere Mencap
Hertsmere Mencap support 250 children and adults with learning disabilities and their families and carers. They run a minibus service taking members to regular social clubs in Borehamwood, St Albans and Hatfield on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday evenings. You will only be expected to volunteer once every few weeks as part of a rota, an average of 3 hours per month. You will be assisting the driver collecting members, accompanying them to the local clubs, and helping with picking up from the club, taking them to their front door when necessary.
Volunteer Drivers with Barbara Bus Fund
The Barbara Bus Fund provides a wheelchair accessible community transport service for wheelchair users who are unable to transfer and travel in a standard car seat, and relies on volunteer drivers to assist their passengers. The role is flexible and based from the RNOH at Stanmore. The only requirements are that you like driving, over 25 years and have no more than 6 penalty points. You will also need to complete a DBS check.
COMMUNITIES 1ST VOLUNTEERING ROLES
Neighbourly Walks
We are looking for some volunteers who would like to support people through our Neighbourly Walks scheme. We know how beneficial walking can be for the mind and the body, and we want to support as many people in the community as we can to maintain their independence and get some fresh air while doing it. In particular we are looking for a volunteer who is trained in supporting individuals with visual impairments. The client would like support on a neighbourly walk twice a month, based in AL3 area.
Handyperson
Communities 1st deliver a Handy Person Service designed to help those 60+ or on benefits, living in Hertsmere and St Albans & District to help with tasks they are unable to carry out themselves. We are looking for Handy Person Volunteers to help us help our community. We ask volunteers to undertake various light practical duties that may include changing lightbulbs, moving furniture and shopping for materials etc. We are a busy service and are looking for some friendly and caring volunteers to help fulfil demand. We can offer flexible hours, which suit both you and our clients’ needs. If you have a few hours to spare and would enjoy doing a bit of DIY whilst helping people who would really struggle to manage it themselves, please give us a call to discuss this opportunity further.
Number Ninjas
The Multiply project aims to improve people's numeracy skills by offering maths-boosting sessions. On topics such as basic numeracy, Shopping on a Budget, and Family Budget, these sessions will help people in their everyday lives. We are looking for volunteers to become Number Ninjas.
Number Ninjas will help us:
- Identify the learning needs of local residents
- Engage and refer suitable candidates for tailored tutoring support.
